Systems and methods for accumulation

ABSTRACT

Method and systems for accumulation are described. In one embodiment, a dispensing station includes a receiving opening, a dispensing opening and a storage area. The dispensing station receives and dispenses a container. A transportable storage system includes multiple partitions disposed on a carrier portion to define multiple carriage sections. The carriage sections are electronically identifiable and selectively hold or eject the container. A bin apparatus for receiving the container includes a movable portion to selectively hold and release the container. A control unit for commanding the bin apparatus to dispense the container to a desired carriage section of the transportable storage system is provided. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/412,033 filed on Mar. 5, 2012; said application Ser. No.13/412,033 claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/449,523 filed on Mar. 4, 2011. The entiredisclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/412,033 and U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/449,523 are hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD

The present application relates generally to the technical field ofautomated filling centers. In a specific example, the presentapplication may relate to a high volume fulfillment center, e.g., a highvolume pharmacy and to systems and devices used in filling prescriptionsand prescription orders at a high volume pharmacy.

BACKGROUND

A high-volume pharmacy, such as a mail order pharmacy, may process andfill a large number of prescriptions and prescription orders. Automatedsystems may be used by a high volume pharmacy to process and fulfillprescriptions.

Often, more than one prescription drug is required to complete aprescription order. The fulfillment of prescriptions in the prescriptionorder may be fulfilled in different areas of the high-volume pharmacy.After fulfillment, the fulfilled prescriptions are gathered into acomplete prescription order for shipping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example order processing device that maybe deployed within the system of FIG. 1, according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the accumulation device that maybe deployed within the system of FIG. 1, according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a dispensing station that may bedeployed in the accumulation device, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a dispensing station forunit-of-use containers that may be deployed in the accumulation device,according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 6A is a partial cross-sectional view of the bin apparatus andtransportable storage system with the bin apparatus closed, according toan example embodiment;

FIG. 6B is a partial cross-sectional view of the bin apparatus andtransportable storage system with the bin apparatus partially opened,according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example control unit that may bedeployed in the accumulation device, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example command subsystem that may bedeployed in the control unit of FIG. 7, according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an example accumulation subsystem that maybe deployed in the control unit of FIG. 7, according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 10 is an example process flow illustrating a method ofaccumulation, according to an example embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a machine in the example form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions for causing themachine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed hereinmay be executed or stored.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example systems and methods for accumulation are described. In thefollowing description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specificdetails are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding ofexample embodiments. It will be evident, however, to one of ordinaryskill in the art these embodiments may be practiced without thesespecific details.

Generally, a prescription order is generated for a high volume pharmacy.The prescription order may include more than one prescription forfulfillment. The prescription in the prescription order constitutes anorder component.

The prescriptions may be fulfilled at areas located at various sectionsof the high volume pharmacy. The accumulation of the order components isprovided by the systems and methods herein. Order components may includecontainers, which may be a bottle, box, bag, can, or other devicesuitable for holding a pharmaceutical to be dispensed according to aprescription.

Generally, the order components are dispensed into one or more binapparatus. The bin apparatus is selectively opened as a rotatingtransportable storage system moves underneath. The transportable storagesystem ejects the accumulated order components into a chute that maylead to an area for shipping preparation.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system 100, according to anexample embodiment. While the system 100 is generally described as beingdeployed in a high volume pharmacy, the automated filling system 100 mayotherwise be deployed. The system 100 may include an order processingdevice 102 in communication with a network manager device 106 over anetwork 104.

The order processing device 102 may receive information aboutprescriptions being filled at a pharmacy in which the order processingdevice 102 is deployed. The order processing device 102 may track aprescription order as it is fulfilled. The order processing device 102may make routing decisions and/or order consolidation decisions for aprescription order. The order processing device 102 may operate on itsown or in combination with the network manager device 106.

Examples of the network 104 include Mobile Communications (GSM) network,a code division multiple access (CDMA) network, 3rd GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP), an Internet Protocol (IP) network, aWireless Application Protocol (WAP) network, a WiFi network, or an IEEE802.11 standards network, as well as various combinations thereof. Otherconventional and/or later developed wired and wireless networks may alsobe used.

The network manager device 106 is a device operated by an entity atleast partially responsible for creation and/or management of thepharmacy benefit. While the network manager operating the networkmanager device 106 is typically a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), otherentities may operate the network manager device 106 either on behalf ofthemselves, the PBM, or another entity. The network manager device 106may include a processor, memory to store data and instructions, and acommunication device.

Some of the operations of the PBM that operates the network managerdevice 106 may include the following. A member (or a person on behalf ofthe member) attempts to obtain a prescription drug at a retail pharmacylocation where the member can obtain drugs in a physical store from apharmacist or pharmacist technician, or in some instances through mailorder drug delivery from a mail order pharmacy location. The member mayalso obtain a prescription drug directly or indirectly through the useof machine, such as a kiosk, vending unit, mobile electronic device, ora different type of computing device.

The member may have a co-pay for the prescription drug that reflects anamount of money that the member is responsible to pay the pharmacy forthe prescription drug. The money paid by the member to the pharmacy maycome from the personal funds of the member, a health savings account(HSA) of the member or the member's family, a health reimbursementarrangement (HRA) of the member or the member's family, a flexiblespending accounts (FSA) of the member or the member's family, or thelike. An employer of the member may directly or indirectly fund orreimburse the member or an account of the member for the co-pay.

The amount of the co-pay paid by the member may vary by the benefit planof the client with the PBM. The member's co-pay may be based on a flatco-pay (e.g., $10), coinsurance (e.g., 10%), and/or a deductible (e.g.,for first $500 of annual prescription drug spend) for certainprescription drugs, certain types of prescription drugs, and/or allprescription drugs.

In certain instances, the member may not pay the co-pay or may only payfor a portion of a co-pay for a prescription drug. For example, if theusual and customary cost for a generic version of a prescription drug is$4, and the member's flat co-pay is $20 for the prescription drug, themember may only pay $4 to receive the prescription drug. In anotherexample involving a worker's compensation claim, no co-pay may be due bythe member for the prescription drug.

In conjunction with receiving the co-pay (if any) from the member anddispensing the prescription drug to the member, the pharmacy submits aclaim to the PBM for the prescription drug. The PBM may perform certainadjudication functions including verifying the eligibility of themember, reviewing the formulary to determine appropriate co-pay,coinsurance, and deductible for the prescription drug, and performing adrug utilization review (DUR) on the member. The PBM then adjudicatesthe claim associated with the prescription drug and provides a responseto the pharmacy following performance of the aforementioned functions.As part of the adjudication, the client (or the PBM on behalf of theclient) ultimately reimburses the pharmacy for filling the prescriptiondrug when the prescription drug was successfully adjudicated. Theaforementioned adjudication functions generally occur before the co-payis received and the prescription drug dispensed. However, the operationsmay occur simultaneously, substantially simultaneously, or in adifferent order. In addition, more or less adjudication functions may beperformed as part of the adjudication process. Adjudication may beperformed through the use of a machine, such as a computer system.

The amount of reimbursement paid to the pharmacy by the client and/ormember may be based at least in part on the type of pharmacy network inwhich the pharmacy is included. Other factors may be used to determinethe reimbursement amount in addition to the type of pharmacy network.The above methodologies may be implemented by executing instructions inthe network manager device 106.

The system 100 may include a loading device 108, a sorting device 110,an automated dispensing device 112, a manual fulfillment device 114, areview device 116, a cap device 118, an accumulation device 120 and/or apacking device 122.

The loading device 108 may load prescription containers by a roboticarm, pick and place mechanism, or the like. In one embodiment, theloading device 108 has robotic anus or pickers to grasp a container andmove it to and from a pallet. The pallet may be located on a conveyorassembly.

The sorting device 110 may receive containers and may identify thecontainers that belong to a particular prescription drug order. Thesorting device 110 may group the containers according to theprescription drug order in which they belong.

The automated dispensing device 112 includes one or more devices thatdispense prescription drugs or pharmaceuticals into containers inaccordance with one or more prescription orders. Various automateddispensing systems are available commercially such as e.g., the systemsold under the trademark OPTIFILL by AmerisourceBergen Corporation.

The manual fulfillment device 114 provides for manually fulfillingprescriptions. In general, a manual fulfillment may include operationsat least partially performed by a pharmacist or pharmacy technician. Forexample, a person may retrieve a supply of the prescribed drug, may makean observation, may count out a prescribed quantity of drugs and placethem into a container, or the like. Some portions of the manualfulfillment process may be automated by use of a machine. For example,counting of capsules, tablets or pills may be at least partiallyautomated (e.g., through use of a pill counter). In some embodiments,the automated fulfillment is integrated with the manual fulfillmentoperations. Certain automated fulfillment may be performed before manualfulfillment and vice versa. The automated fulfillment for a prescriptionmay be paused to allow for the manual fulfillment to be completed. Oncethe devices receive an input that manual fulfillment is complete, thenthe automated fulfillment is released and fulfillment proceedsautomatically.

The review device 116 may process containers to be reviewed by apharmacist. Fulfilled prescriptions may be reviewed and/or verified by apharmacist, as may be required by state or local law. In otherembodiments, prescriptions are reviewed and/or verified for qualityassurance. A pharmacist or other licensed person who may dispensecertain drugs in compliance with local and/or other laws may operate thereview device 116 and visually inspect a container that has been filledwith a prescription drug. The pharmacist may review, verify, and/orevaluate drug quantity, drug strength, and/or drug interaction concerns,or otherwise perform pharmacist services.

The cap device 118 may be used to cap a container. In some embodiments,the cap device 118 may provide a type of cap in accordance with apatient preference (e.g., a preference regarding child resistance). Thecap device 118 may provide a crown portion, such as a ring or top, tocap the container. The ring or top operates cooperatively to providechild resistance. In other embodiments, no ring or top over a containermay provide an easily-opened cap (e.g., for patients with fine motordisabilities).

The accumulation device 120 accumulates various prescription drugs in aprescription order. The accumulation device 120 may accumulateprescription containers from various area of the high volume fulfillmentcenter. For example, the accumulation device 120 may accumulateprescription containers from the automated dispensing device 112, themanual fulfillment device 114 and the review device 116.

The packing device 122 packages a prescription order in preparation forshipping the order. The packaging device 122 may box or bag thefulfilled prescription order for delivery. The packaging device 122 mayfurther place inserts into the box or bag. The packaging device 122 maylabel the box or bag with the address. The packaging device 122 may sortthe box or bag for mailing in an efficient manner (e.g., sort bydelivery address).

While the system 100 in FIG. 1 is shown to include single devices 102,106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122 multiple devices may beused. The devices 102, 106, 108 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122 may bethe same type of device or may be different device types. When multipledevices are present, the multiple devices may be of the same device typeor may be a different device type. Moreover, system 100 shows a singlenetwork 104; however, multiple networks can be used. The multiplenetworks may communicate in series with each other to link the devices102, 106, 108 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122 or in parallel to linkthe devices 102, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122. Multipledevices may share processing and/or memory resources. The devices102-122 may be located in the same area or in different locations. Forexample, the devices 102-122 may be located in a building or set ofadjoining buildings. The devices 102-122 may be interconnected (e.g. byconveyors), networked or otherwise in contact with one another.

In some embodiments, at least some of the functionality of the orderprocessing device 102 may be included in the network manager device 106.In other embodiments, at least some of the functionality of the orderprocessing device 102 may be included in the accumulation device 120 andvice versa.

The order processing device 102 may be in a client-server relationshipwith the network manager device 106, a peer-to-peer relationship withthe network manager device 106, or in a different type of relationshipwith the network manager device 106.

The order processing device 102 and/or the network manager device 106may be in communication directly (e.g., through local storage) and/orthrough the network 104 (e.g., in a cloud configuration or software as aservice) with a database 124 (e.g., as may be retained in memory orotherwise). The database 124 may store order data 126, member data 128and/or client data 130.

The order data 126 may include data used for completion of theprescription, such as prescription materials. Prescription materials area type of order materials that include an electronic copy of informationregarding the prescription drug for inclusion with the fulfilledprescription. The prescription materials may include electronicinformation regarding drug interaction warnings, recommended usage,possible side effects, expiration date, date of prescribing, etc.

The member data 128 includes information regarding the membersassociated with the benefit manager. Examples of the member data 128include name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, prescriptiondrug history, and the like. The member data 128 may include a clientidentifier that identifies the client associated with the member and/ora member identifier that identifies the member to the client. The memberdata 128 may include a member identifier that identifies the clientassociated with the patient and/or a patient identifier that identifiesthe patient to the client. The member data 128 may also include, by wayof example, dispensation preferences such as type of label, type of cap,message preferences, language preferences, or the like. The member data128 may be accessed by the devices 102, 106-122 to obtain the necessaryinformation for fulfilling the prescription and shipping theprescription drugs.

The client data 130 includes information regarding the clients of thebenefit manager. Examples of the client data 130 include company name,company address, contact name, contact telephone number, contact e-mailaddress, and the like.

FIG. 2 illustrates the order processing device 102, according to anexample embodiment. The order processing device 102 may be used by oneor more operators to generate prescription orders, make routingdecisions, and/or make prescription order consolidation decisions. Forexample, the prescription order may be comprised of order components.The order processing device 102 may receive instructions to fulfill anorder without operator intervention. An order component may include aprescription drug fulfilled in a container by the system 100. The orderprocessing device 102 may direct an order component to the manualfulfillment device 114 or the review device 116 and direct othercomponents to the automated dispensing device 112. The order processingdevice 102 may direct all order components to the accumulation device120 for aggregation before shipping. The order processing device 102 maydirect the order components directly to the packing device 122 if theprescription order does not require accumulation from various areas ofthe pharmacy for completion. The order processing device 102 may bedeployed in the system 100, or may otherwise be used.

The order processing device 102 may include an order verificationsubsystem 202, an order control subsystem 204 and/or an order trackingsubsystem 206.

The order verification subsystem 202 may communicate with the networkmanager device 106 to verify the eligibility of the member, review theformulary to determine appropriate co-pay, coinsurance, and deductiblefor the prescription drug, and/or perform a drug utilization review(DUR).

The order control subsystem 204 controls various movements of thecontainers and/or pallets along with various filling functions duringprogression through the system 100. For example, the order controlsubsystem 204 may identify the prescribed drug as needing to befulfilled manually and may direct the container or order component tothe manual fulfillment device 114 to achieve the manual fulfillment. Thedevices 108-122 may be interconnected by a system of conveyors or othercontainer movement systems. Thus, the order control subsystem 204 maycontrol various conveyors to deliver the pallet from the loading device108 to the manual fulfillment device 114, for example.

The order tracking subsystem 206 tracks a prescription order as itprogresses (or stops) toward fulfillment. The order tracking subsystem206 may track, record and/or update order history, order status or thelike. The order tracking subsystem 206 may store data locally (e.g., ina memory) or at the order data 124.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an accumulation device 120 is illustratedaccording to an example embodiment. The accumulation device 120 sortsand/or combines containers from different origins into a single area.

The accumulation device 120 includes multiple dispensing stations 302, atransportable storage system 304, and a bin apparatus 306. The multipledispensing stations 302 dispense prescription drugs into the binapparatus 306. The transportable storage system 304 rotates under thebin apparatus 306. The multiple dispensing stations 302 may include areceiving opening 308, a dispensing opening 310 and/or a storage area312. Each of the dispensing stations 302 may include additionalreceiving openings 308, dispensing openings 310 and/or storage areas312. As used herein, receiving opening 308, dispensing opening 310and/or storage area 312 refer to single or additional receiving openings308, dispensing openings 310 and/or storage areas 312.

The receiving opening 308 may be connected to a conveyor member 314 thatis configured to transport containers to the dispensing station 302. Thedispensing opening 310 may be connected to a conveyor member 316 that isconfigured to transport containers from the dispensing station 302 tothe bin apparatus 306. Scanners 318 may be positioned at variouslocations proximal the transportable storage system 304 to read tags,bar codes, etc. so as to identify an area of the transportable storagesystem 304 at a desired time. The scanners 318 can be optical scanners,electronic scanners, or combinations thereof. The accumulation device120 may further include a control unit 322 communicatively connected tothe dispensing station 302, the transportable storage system 304 and/orthe bin apparatus 306.

Referring to FIG. 4, an example storage area 312 within the dispensingstation 302 is illustrated. The storage area 312 may temporarily storecontainers 402 after they are received from the receiving opening 308. Arobot picker 404 may pick a container 402 from the conveyor member 314and position it proximal a container scanner 406. The robot picker 404may rotate the container 402 about a horizontal or vertical axis toensure scanning of a label placed on the exterior of the container 402.The robot picker 404 may then place the container 402 in a storagepocket 408 of the storage area 312 or may dispense the container 402 atthe dispensing opening 310. Multiple containers 402 of an order mayaccumulate in the storage pocket 408. At a desired time, the robotpicker 404 may pick the container 402 from the storage area 312 anddispense the container 402 at the dispensing opening 310 to the binapparatus 306. In one embodiment, after picking from the storage area312, the robot picker 404 may scan the container 402 before dispensing.

In other embodiments, as in the example storage area 312 of FIG. 5, thestorage area 312 is an inventory storage area that holds many containers502 until picked and dispensed by the robot picker 504. The storage area312, having a rack 506, may be utilized at a dispensing station 302 thatdoes not have a receiving opening 308 and/or a conveyor member 314. Thecontainers 502 may be unit-of-use containers stored on a rack 506 untilselection by the robot picker 504. The unit-of-use container 502 may bea product sealed in its own container at the manufacturer, for example.The robot picker 504 may pick a container 502 from the rack 506 andposition it proximal a container scanner 508. The robot picker 504 maylabel the unit-of-use container 502 with a labeler 510 and scan thelabel with the container scanner 508 or a secondary scanner (not shown).The robot picker 504 may rotate the container 502 about a vertical orhorizontal axis to ensure scanning of the label placed on the exteriorof the container 502. The robot picker 504 may then dispense theunit-of-use container 502 through the dispensing opening 310 to the binapparatus 306. In the case where more than one unit-of-use container 502is in the prescription order, the robot picker 504 will repeat labelingat the labeler 510 and scanning at the container scanner 508 anddispensing to the bin apparatus 306 via the dispensing opening 310. Therobot picker 504 will repeat, picking the unit-of-use container 502 fromthe rack 506 and placing it proximal the container scanner 508 or thesecondary scanner, until the bin apparatus 306 has accumulated all ofthe unit-of-use containers 502 in the prescription order.

The robot picker 404, 504 may be a robot such as a SCARA robot fromEpson Robots of Carson, Calif. or Adept Technologies, Inc. ofPleasanton, Calif. The storage area 312 may be a manual dispensing area,where a pharmacy technician, for example, picks the container 402, 502and/or scans the container 402, 502 before dispensing to the binapparatus 306.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and B, an example bin apparatus 306 is shownaccording to an embodiment. The bin apparatus 306 is sized andconfigured to hold one or more containers 402, 502. The bin apparatus306 includes one or more fixed portions 602 and a movable portion 604.The fixed portions 602 support the container 402, 502 while in the binapparatus 306. The movable portion 604 is movably coupled to the fixedportion 602 to allow the bin apparatus 306 to selectively hold andrelease the container 402, 502. The bin apparatus 306 is disposedrelative to the transportable storage system 304 such that movement bythe movable portion 604 open the bin apparatus 306 to release thecontainer 402, 502 to reach the transportable storage system 304. Themovable portion 604 may be coupled to an actuator 606. The actuator 606opens as shown in FIG. 6B and closes as shown in FIG. 6A the movableportion 604 at desired times. In the example shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B,the fixed portions 602 of the bin apparatus 306 can be vertical walls.The moveable portion 604 can be at least a part of the floor of the binapparatus 306. The bin apparatus floor is positioned at an incline suchthat the container 402, 502 therein will be biased toward one end of thebin apparatus. In some embodiments, the moveable portion 604, when it isinstructed to open, initially opens at the one end of the bin apparatus.It may be desired that the container 402, 502 maintains its orientationwhen it transitions from the bin apparatus 306 to the transportablestorage system 304. The transportable storage system 304 can beessentially horizontal at the location where the container 402, 502transitions from the bin apparatus 306 to the transportable storagesystem 304. The transportable storage system 304 may have a slightincline at the location (e.g., beneath the down arrow shown in FIG. 6B).Such a slight incline may match the incline of the bin apparatus or beat an angle less than the angle of the moveable portion 604 of the binapparatus 306. In an example, the angle, relative to horizontal is lessthan 10 degrees+/−1 degree. The relative angle of the movable portion604 of the bin apparatus relative to the transportable storage system304 allows the container 402 to drop from the bin apparatus 306 to thetransportable storage system 304 with the container maintaining itsorientation and not tipping over on the transportable storage system304.

The transportable storage system 304 may include multiple partitions 608disposed on a carrier portion 610 to define multiple carriage sections612. The carriage section 612 is disposed between two partitions 608.The carriage section 612 may store multiple containers 402, 502 ofvarious sizes. The carriage section 612 may be electronically oroptically identifiable with RFID tags, bar codes, or the like disposedat the carriage section 612. Scanners 318 may be positioned at variouslocations proximal the transportable storage system 304 to read tags,bar codes etc. so as to identify the location of the carriage section612 at a desired time.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the transportable storage system 304 is asorter device such as that from EuroSort, Inc. The carrier portion 610is a continuous belt-like member. The carrier portion 610 may eject,slide or drop (via mechanism 324) the container 402, 502 out of thecarriage section 612 and into a chute 320 for packaging and shipping. Anexit mechanism 324, e.g., a gate, may control a container exiting intothe chute 320.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a control unit 322 is illustrated according toan example embodiment. The control unit 322 is in electrical or opticalcommunication connection with and may generate commands to the dispenserstation 302, the transportable storage system 304, and the bin apparatus306. The commands may be machine executable instructions that can bestored and executed by machines at appropriate times. The control unit322 accesses data from the scanner 318 and/or the order processingdevice 102 to issue commands (to actuators or motors) accordingly. Thecontrol unit 322 may be deployed in the system 100, or may otherwise beused.

The control unit 322 may include an order communication subsystem 702, acommand subsystem 704, and/or an accumulation subsystem 706.

The order communication subsystem 702 may be a communication gateway toenable the control unit 322 to communicate with the order processingdevice 102, dispensing station 304, transportable storage system 304and/or bin apparatus 306. The order communication subsystem 702 may bein a wired connection with any one of the order processing device 102,the dispensing station 302, the transportable storage system 304 and/orthe bin apparatus 306. In some embodiments, the order communicationsubsystem 702 may be in a wireless communication connection with any oneof the order processing device 102, dispensing station 302,transportable storage system 304 and/or bin apparatus 306.

The command subsystem 704 enables the control unit 322 to issue commandsto the dispensing station 302, transportable storage system 304 and/orbin apparatus 306. The commands may be machine executable instructionsthat can be stored and executed by machines at appropriate times.

The accumulation subsystem 706 enables the control unit 322 to accessdata for tracking movement and identifying containers and orders.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example command subsystem 704 that may be deployedin the control unit 322, the system 100 or otherwise deployed in thesystem 100. One or more modules are communicatively coupled and includedin the command subsystem 704 to enable order accumulation. The modulesof the command subsystem 704 that may be included are a robot module802, a bin module 804, and/or a transportable storage module 806. Othermodules may also be included. In one embodiment, the modules aredeployed in memory and executed by a processor coupled to the memory.The functionality contained within the modules 802-806 may be combinedinto a lesser number of modules, further divided among a greater numberof modules, or redistributed among existing modules. Otherconfigurations including the functionality of the modules 802-806 may beused.

The robot module 802 generates and issues commands to the robot picker404, 504. The commands may instruct the robot picker 404, 504 tomaneuver to pick the container 402, 502, to scan the container 402, 502and/or to dispense the container 402, 502. The commands are sufficientto instruct the robot picker 404, 504 to maneuver to carry out selectedfunctions. For example, the robot picker 404, 504 may rotate thecontainer 402, 502 about a horizontal or vertical axis to execute thescan at the container scanner 406, 508.

The bin module 804 generates and issues commands to the bin apparatus306. The commands may instruct the bin apparatus 306 to open or closethe movable portion 604. Specifically, the commands are sufficient toinstruct the actuator 606 to move the movable portion 604 so that thebin apparatus 306 may be opened or closed. The bin module 804 maycoordinate with the transportable storage module 806 to time the openingor closing of the bin apparatus 306 with a desired carriage section 612being underneath the bin apparatus 306.

The transportable storage module 806 generates and issues commands tothe transportable storage system 304. The commands may instruct thetransportable storage system 304 to start or stop rotation, to rotate atvarious speeds and/or to eject the container 402, 502 into the chute320. The transportable storage module 806 may coordinate with the binmodule 804 to time the opening or closing of the bin apparatus 306 witha desired carriage section 612 being underneath the bin apparatus 306.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example accumulation subsystem 706 that may bedeployed in the control unit 322, the system 100, or otherwise deployedin another system. One or more modules are communicatively coupled andincluded in the accumulation subsystem 706 to enable accumulation of anorder. The modules of the accumulation subsystem 706 that may beincluded are an order identification module 902, a container module 904,and/or a carriage module 906. Other modules may also be included.

In one embodiment, the modules are deployed in memory and executed by aprocessor coupled to the memory. The functionality contained within themodules 902-906 may be combined into a lesser number of modules, furtherdivided among a greater number of modules, or redistributed amongexisting modules. Other configurations including the functionality ofthe modules 902-906 may be used.

The order identification module 902 identifies and associates ordercomponents as part of a prescription order with an order componentidentification attribute. The order identification module 902 may storethe order components and prescription order locally or remotely, such asat the database. Each order component may be the container 402 or aunit-of-use container 502.

The container module 904 tracks the order components at the dispensingstation 302 and the bin apparatus 306. The container module 904 maytrack the order components dispensed into the bin apparatus 306 with anorder component identification attribute. The order componentidentification attribute may identify the container 402, 502 andassociate the order component with the prescription order that isdesired to be aggregated. The order component identification attributemay be an RFID tag, a bar code, a QR code or other identification.

The carriage module 906 tracks the movement and/or location of thecarriage section 612 of the transportable storage system 304. Thecarriage module 906 may communicate with the container module 904 tocoordinate dropping order components from more than one bin apparatus306 into the same carriage section 612 as the transportable storagesystem 304 rotates. The carriage module 906 may coordinate with thecontainer module 904 to establish that the last or slowest container402, 502 is dispensed. The carriage module 906 may coordinate with thebin module 804 to determine a time or detect when the carriage section612 is underneath the bin apparatus 306.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method 1000 for order accumulation, according toan example embodiment. The method 1000 may be performed by theaccumulation device 120, partially by the order processing device 102and partially by the network manager device 106, or may be otherwiseperformed.

At block 1002, the order processing device 102 generates a prescriptionorder with order components to be fulfilled. The fulfillment may includeone or more of the devices 108-122 acting on one or more of the ordercomponents. Generating the prescription order may include accessing data126-130 from the database 124 to determine desired characteristics ofthe prescription order.

At block 1004, order components of the prescription order are identifiedat the dispensing station 302, for example. The dispensing station 302may receive the order component in the form of the container 402 fromthe conveyor 314 through the opening 308. The dispensing station 302 mayobtain the order component in the form of a unit-of-use container 502from the rack 506. The order components 402, 502 are identified byaccessing order component identification attributes of the ordercomponents. In one embodiment, accessing may include scanning thecontainer 402, 502 with the container scanner 406, 508. The robot picker404, 504 may maneuver the container 402, 502 for scanning The ordercomponent may be identified with the accessed order componentidentification attribute.

At block 1006, the order components are associated with the prescriptionorder. The control unit 322 may associate the order components with theprescription order. Specifically, when the presence of the ordercomponent at the dispensing station 302 is determined via the scanner406, 508, the identified order component may be associated with theprescription order that is desired to be aggregated.

At block 1008, the order components are accumulated. In someembodiments, the order components may be accumulated at two or morelocations. Specifically, order components may be accumulated into onebin apparatus 306 and order components may be accumulated into anotherbin apparatus 306. The robot picker 404, 504 may dispense the container402, 502 to the bin apparatus 306. The order components that aredispensed into the bin apparatus 306 may be tracked.

At block 1010, the order components are aggregated. Movement of thetransportable storage system 304 and locations of the carriage section612 may be tracked. The carriage module 906 may designate a carriagesection 612 of the carrier portion 610 for aggregating the prescriptionorder. The carriage module 906 may designate more than one carriagesection 612 for aggregating the prescription order, such as in the caseof large prescription orders. The last or slowest container 402, 502 tobe dispensed may be established. When all of the order components thatconstitute a prescription order are in the bin apparatus 306, the binmodule 804 may issue a command to move the movable member 604 (FIGS. 6Aand 6B). The time when the carriage section 612 is underneath the binmodule is determined or detected and each bin apparatus 306 having anorder component therein will drop the order component into the samedesignated carriage section 612 to aggregate the order components of theprescription order. In some embodiments, the transportable storagemodule 806 may issue one or more commands to increase or decreasevelocity of the rotating carrier portion 610 to coordinate with droppingthe order component from the bin apparatus 306.

At block 1012, the prescription order is ejected into a chute 320. Thetransportable storage system 304 may eject the contents of the carriagesection 612 when the carriage section 612 is proximal the chute 320. Thetransportable storage system 304 may drop or push the order componentsinto the chute 320 by using ejection mechanics, such as that provided byEuroSort, Inc.

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of a machine in the example form of acomputer system 1100 within which a set of instructions may be executedcausing the machine to perform any one or more of the methods,processes, operations, or methodologies discussed herein. The orderprocessing device 102, the network manager device 106, and/or theaccumulation device 120 may include the functionality of the one or morecomputer systems 1100.

In an example embodiment, the machine operates as a standalone device ormay be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient machine in server-client network environment, or as a peermachine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. Themachine may be a server computer, a client computer, a personal computer(PC), a tablet PC, a gaming device, a set-top box (STB), a PersonalDigital Assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a web appliance, anetwork router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing aset of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to betaken by that machine Further, while only a single machine isillustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include anycollection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (ormultiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed herein.

The example computer system 1100 includes a processor 1102 (e.g., acentral processing unit (CPU) a graphics processing unit (GPU) or both),a main memory 1104 and a static memory 1106, which communicate with eachother via a bus 1108. The computer system 1100 further includes a videodisplay unit 1110 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode raytube (CRT)). The computer system 1100 also includes an alphanumericinput device 1112 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 1114(e.g., a mouse), a drive unit 1116, a signal generation device 1118(e.g., a speaker) and a network interface device 1120.

The drive unit 1116 includes a computer-readable medium 1122 on which isstored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 1124) embodyingany one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. Thesoftware 1124 may also reside, completely or at least partially, withinthe main memory 1104 and/or within the processor 1102 during executionthereof, by the computer system 1100, the main memory 1104 and theprocessor 1102 also constituting computer-readable media.

The software 1124 may further be transmitted or received over a network1126 via the network interface device 1120.

While the computer-readable medium 1122 is shown in an exampleembodiment to be a single medium, the term “computer-readable medium”should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., acentralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches andservers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any mediumthat is capable of storing or encoding a set of instructions forexecution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any oneor more of the methodologies of the present invention. The term“computer-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, butnot be limited to, solid-state memories, and optical media, and magneticmedia. In some embodiments, the computer-readable medium is anon-transitory computer-readable medium.

The term “based on” or using, as used herein, reflects an open-endedterm that can reflect others elements beyond those explicitly recited.

Certain systems, apparatus, applications or processes are describedherein as including a number of modules. A module may be a unit ofdistinct functionality that may be presented in software, hardware, orcombinations thereof. When the functionality of a module is performed inany part through software, the module includes a computer-readablemedium. The modules may be regarded as being communicatively coupled.

The inventive subject matter may be represented in a variety ofdifferent embodiments of which there are many possible permutations.

In an example embodiment, a system is provided with a dispensing stationincluding a receiving opening, a dispensing opening and a storage area.The dispensing station receives and dispenses a container. Atransportable storage system is provided that includes multiplepartitions disposed on a carrier portion to define multiple carriagesections. The carriage sections are electronically identifiable andselectively hold or eject the container. A bin apparatus is provided toreceive the container dispensed by the dispensing station. The binapparatus includes a movable portion to selectively hold and release thecontainer. A control unit is provided to command the bin apparatus todispense the container to a desired carriage section of thetransportable storage system is provided.

In an example embodiment, order components of a prescription order areidentified by accessing order component identification attributes. Theorder components are associated with a prescription order. Multipleorder components are accumulated at two or more locations. The ordercomponents are aggregated from two or more locations onto a movingcarrier. The aggregated order components are ejected.

Thus, methods and systems for accumulation have been described. Althoughembodiments of the present invention have been described with referenceto specific example embodiments, it will be evident that variousmodifications and changes may be made to these embodiments withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the embodiments of theinvention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to beregarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

The methods described herein do not have to be executed in the orderdescribed, or in any particular order. Moreover, various activitiesdescribed with respect to the methods identified herein can be executedin serial or parallel fashion. Although “End” blocks are shown in theflowcharts, the methods may be performed continuously.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separate embodiment.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: identifying at leastone order component of a prescription order by accessing anidentification attribute of the at least one order component;associating the at least one order component with a prescription order;accumulating a plurality of order components, including the at least oneorder component, at at least one location in an automated pharmacyfulfillment system with the plurality of order components being in acommon orientation, wherein accumulating includes dropping the pluralityof order components onto a moving carrier while maintaining the commonorientation of the plurality of order components; aggregating theplurality of order components from the at least one location onto amoving carrier that supports and moves the plurality of order componentsand maintaining the common orientation of the plurality of ordercomponents; and ejecting the plurality of aggregated order componentswhile maintaining the common orientation of the plurality of ordercomponents.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one ordercomponent includes at least one unit-of-use container and whereinaccumulating includes accumulating the at least one unit-of-usecontainer as one of the plurality of order components.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein identifying includes labeling the at least one ordercomponent of the prescription order.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising receiving a container that includes prescription drugcontents.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein aggregating depends on atime for a slowest order component to be dispensed.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein accumulating includes tracking the plurality of ordercomponents.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein aggregating includestracking a rotational movement of the moving carrier.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein aggregating is performed at or before one rotation ofthe moving carrier.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein aggregatingincludes coordinating a release of the plurality of order componentsfrom the location with movement of the moving carrier.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein identifying includes scanning the at least one ordercomponent.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein aggregating includesscanning an RFID tag on each order component of the plurality of ordercomponents.
 12. A method for filling a prescription order comprising:identifying a plurality of order components of the prescription order byaccessing at least one order component identification attribute of theplurality of order components; associating the plurality of ordercomponents with a prescription order; accumulating the plurality oforder components of a prescription order at at least one dispensingstation with the plurality of order components being in a commonorientation, wherein accumulating comprises: holding the plurality oforder components at an incline relative to a carrier section of a movingcarrier; and moving a movable portion of the dispensing station to dropthe order components to the carrier section with the order componentsbeing in the common orientation; aggregating the plurality of ordercomponents from the dispensing stations onto the carrier section at thecommon orientation; and ejecting the aggregated plurality of ordercomponents.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein aggregating comprises:receiving the plurality of order components from accumulating theplurality of order components; and scanning the plurality of ordercomponents after receiving to identify the order components in thecarrier section to verify that the order components in a carrier sectionare for a prescription order.
 14. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising ejecting the plurality of order components from the carriersection to a packing and shipping system.
 15. The method of claim 13,wherein scanning the plurality of order components comprises: reading anRFID tag at each carrier section of a plurality carrier sections of themoving carrier to track the carrier section that moves along a track.16. The method of claim 12, wherein associating the plurality of ordercomponents comprises: transporting at least one order component of theplurality of order components to be accumulated at the dispensingstation; identifying the at least one order component with a robotpicker to pick a container from a conveyor; positioning the containerproximal to a container scanner; and rotating the container about anaxis during a scanning of a label of the container.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the at least one order component identificationattribute is stored in an machine readable code that associatescontainer to the contents in the container.
 18. A prescription orderfilling method comprising: accumulating a plurality of prescriptionbottles at a dispensing station; holding at least one prescriptionbottle of the plurality of prescription bottles at a storage area of thedispensing station; dispensing the at least one prescription bottle froma dispensing opening at the dispensing station, wherein dispensingincludes scanning the at least one prescription bottle to identify theat least one prescription bottle before the at least one prescriptionbottle exits the dispensing opening; receiving the at least oneprescription bottle from the dispensing station at a bin apparatus thatincludes a fixed portion and a movable portion to selectively hold andrelease the at least one prescription bottle from the bin apparatus;transporting the at least one prescription bottle in one of a pluralityof partitions disposed on a carrier portion, wherein transportingincludes identifying a carriage section of a plurality of carriagesections of the carrier portion that is configured to selectively holdand eject the at least one prescription bottle, and hold the at leastone prescription bottle at a substantially same orientation as the atleast one prescription bottle had at the bin apparatus; and tracking theat least one prescription bottle identified by the scanning to associatethe at least one prescription bottle to a prescription order, whereintracking includes commanding the bin apparatus to dispense the at leastone prescription bottle to the carriage section among the plurality ofcarriage sections to fill the prescription order.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, wherein transporting the at least one prescription bottlecomprises: selecting the at least one prescription bottle from thestorage area; and aligning the at least one prescription bottle to acontainer scanner to identify the at least one prescription bottle,wherein receiving the at least one prescription bottle includes moving amovable portion to allow the at least one prescription bottle on a floorof the bin apparatus to release the at least one prescription bottletherein toward the carrier portion.
 20. The method of claim 19, whereinthe floor of the bin apparatus is at a first angle and the carriagesection is at a second angle, and wherein the second angle is less thanor equal to the first angle.
 21. The method of claim 18, whereintracking the at least one prescription bottle comprises: scanning thecarriage section to identify the carriage section among the plurality ofcarriage sections; and opening an exit chute to remove the at least oneprescription bottle from the identified carriage section.
 22. The methodof claim 18, wherein accumulating the plurality of prescription bottlescomprises storing the plurality of prescription bottles at a rack in thestorage area.
 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising selecting,using a robot picker, the at least one prescription bottle from the rackand aligning the at least one prescription bottle to a container scannerto identify the at least one prescription bottle.
 24. The method ofclaim 23, wherein dispensing the at least one prescription bottlecomprises: tracking a location of the carriage section; and orderingrelease of the at least one prescription bottle from the bin apparatuswhen the carriage section associated with a set prescription order isaligned with the bin apparatus.
 25. The method of claim 24, whereindispensing the at least one prescription bottle comprises: controlling aplurality of bin apparatus to release a plurality of the prescriptionbottles to a same carriage section associated with the set prescriptionorder.